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2016 was a great year for gamers. With the usual AAA blockbusters, indie sleeper hits and long awaited games finally getting their release, it was a year that had something for all gamers. It seems the industry will be continuing this trend throughout 2017 with an extensive list of titles hitting the market from PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Whilst there are over 30 titles I’m particularly looking forward to in 2017, here are five games that will undoubtedly take a lion share of my attention. That’s if they aren’t delayed and pushed back to a 2018 release date or suffer the undignified cancellation recently endured by Microsoft’s Scalebound that was set for release this year.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Guerrilla Games is bringing a new twist to the action role-playing genre with their ambitious PS4 exclusive. Set in the distant future, the player assumes the role of bow-wielding protagonist, Aloy, as she explores the open-world land that happens to be inhabited by colossal robotic dinosaurs.

Based on initial previews and trailers, the game looks gorgeous as it perfectly blends prehistoric environments with science fiction set pieces. The game also looks to make the most of the PS4 Pro’s 4K and HDR capabilities which may just be enough to convince me to upgrade my existing console.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar sent fans into a frenzy when they teased and announced a sequel to their beloved Red Dead Redemption back in October 2016. Details of the pending sequel remain somewhat scarce but rumours suggest it will be a prequel; meaning that we could see the return of John Marston.

As the release poster suggests, players could be presented with a number of playable characters similar to GTA5. Whilst gamers are waiting with baited breath for more details to be released, you can guarantee that Rockstar will deliver the goods and allow us to live out our wild west dreams once again.

Detroit: Become Human

French Studio Quantic Dream, the studio behind Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls, is known for creating some of the most compelling narratives with their offerings and Detroit: Become Human looks poised to deliver an engrossing experience.

The game is set in a futuristic Detroit and follows the tales of multiple sentient androids struggling to fit into human society. Players can expect heavy themes littered throughout and as always with a David Cage project, expect the game to bring some heavy feels.

Days Gone

An open-world game set during a zombie apocalypse. Everything about Days Gone leaves me feeling like an excited child and will most likely be one of the most adrenaline-filled gaming experiences of the year. Just when I thought the zombie horror genre had been done to death with the likes of Dying Light, Dead Island and the Dead Rising franchise, Sony’s Bend Studio seem to be offering something a little different.

Based on the gameplay preview we got at E3 2016, Days Gone is like a Last of Us, World War Z and Sons of Anarchy hybrid. Rather than slow moving walking dead, the zombies in Days Gone are fast, intelligent and plentiful as your hero must survive the hordes and explore the vast wasteland.

What Remains of Edith Finch

Brought to us by the team that were responsible for the surreal and enchanting The Unfinished Swan, What Remains of Edith Finch is a first-person mystery adventure developed by Giant Sparrow. The game follows the titular character as she explores her family history and uncovers its dark secret. The game will follow various family members through a series of short stories with each tale concluding with the death of that relative.

The game looks to be a unique concept as each story is played out differently; with varying tones and gameplay. It is also being published by Annapurna Interactive, a branch of Annapurna Pictures who are behind films such as American Hustle, Zero Dark Thirty and Foxcatcher. If nothing else, players can expect a very cinematic experience and compelling narrative.

I’ve been looking forward to What Remains of Edith Finch for quite sometime. Based on what I’ve seen it does look to be a walking simulator (I’m also partial to these) but looks to take a pretty surreal approach to the game play. Will be an interesting game either way.

I also like surreal. The game I remember being announced but hearing nothing of since is the adaptation of Lovecraft’s The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. That could make an interesting walking simulator in a similar theme to Edith Finch.

I remember that back in 2014. I’m not sure if anything is happening with it though. I think Edith Finch will be similar to the Vanishing of Ethan Carter but more episodic which isn’t a bad thing in my book.

Agreed. I think Ethan Carter would have benefitted more from that model. As it was, as much as I enjoyed it, it felt a little disjointed at times. Certainly had an interesting narrative, the caves annoyed the hell out of me though.